The old Earl of Etherington was not sane when he married a French wife in secret, and devilish mad indeed when he married an English one in public.

Then for the good folk here, Mowbray of St.Ronan's is cracked, when he wishes to give his sister to he knows not precisely whom: She is a fool not to take him, because she _does_ know who he is, and what has been between them; and your friend is maddest of all, who seeks her under so heavy a penalty:--and you and I, Captain, go mad gratis, for company's sake, when we mix ourselves with such a mess of folly and frenzy." "Really, sir, all that you have said is an absolute riddle to me," replied the embarrassed Jekyl.
"Riddles may be read," said Touchwood, nodding; "if you have any desire to read mine, pray, take notice, that this being our first interview, I have exerted myself _faire les frais du conversation_, as Jack Frenchman says; if you want another, you may come to Mrs.Dods's at the Cleikum Inn, any day before Saturday, at four precisely, when you will find none of your half-starved, long-limbed bundles of bones, which you call poultry at the table-d'hote, but a right Chitty-gong fowl!--I got Mrs.
Dods the breed from old Ben Vandewash, the Dutch broker--stewed to a minute, with rice and mushrooms .-- If you can eat without a silver fork, and your appetite serves you, you shall be welcome--that's all .-- So, good morning to you, good master lieutenant, for a captain of the Guards is but a lieutenant after all." So saying, and ere Jekyl could make any answer, the old gentleman turned short off into a path which led to the healing fountain, branching away from that which conducted to the Hotel.
Uncertain with whom he had been holding a conversation so strange, Jekyl remained looking after him, until his attention was roused by a little boy, who crept out from an adjoining thicket, with a switch in his hand, which he had been just cutting,--probably against regulations to the contrary effect made and provided, for he held himself ready to take cover in the copse again, in case any one were in sight who might be interested in chastising his delinquency.

Captain Jekyl easily recognised in him one of that hopeful class of imps, who pick up a precarious livelihood about places of public resort, by going errands, brushing shoes, doing the groom's and coachman's work in the stables, driving donkeys, opening gates, and so forth, for about one-tenth part of their time, spending the rest in gambling, sleeping in the sun, and otherwise qualifying themselves to exercise the profession of thieves and pickpockets, either separately, or in conjunction with those of waiters, grooms, and postilions.

The little outcast had an indifferent pair of pantaloons, and about half a jacket, for, like Pentapolin with the naked arm, he went on action with his right shoulder bare; a third part of what had once been a hat covered his hair, bleached white with the sun, and his face, as brown as a berry, was illuminated by a pair of eyes, which, for spying out either peril or profit, might have rivalled those of the hawk .-- In a word, it was the original Puck of the Shaws dramaticals.
"Come hither, ye unhanged whelp," said Jekyl, "and tell me if you know the old gentleman that passed down the walk just now--yonder he is, still in sight." "It is the Naboab," said the boy; "I could swear to his back among all the backs at the Waal, your honour." "What do you call a Nabob, you varlet ?" "A Naboab--a Naboab ?" answered the scout; "odd, I believe it is ane comes frae foreign parts, with mair siller than his pouches can haud, and spills it a' through the country--they are as yellow as orangers, and maun hae a' thing their ain gate." "And what is this Naboab's name, as you call him ?" demanded Jekyl.
"His name is Touchwood," said his informer; "ye may see him at the Waal every morning." "I have not seen him at the ordinary." "Na, na," answered the boy; "he is a queer auld cull, he disna frequent wi' other folk, but lives upby at the Cleikum .-- He gave me half-a-crown yince, and forbade me to play it awa' at pitch and toss." "And you disobeyed him, of course ?" "Na, I didna dis-obeyed him--I played it awa' at neevie-neevie-nick-nack." "Well, there is sixpence for thee; lose it to the devil in any way thou think'st proper." So saying he gave the little galopin his donative, and a slight rap on the pate at the same time, which sent him scouring from his presence.

He himself hastened to Lord Etherington's apartments, and, as luck would have it, found the Earl alone.
FOOTNOTES: [II-6] Forgive me, sir, I was bred in the Imperial service, and must smoke a little.
[II-7] Smoke as much as you please; I have got my pipe, too .-- See what a beautiful head!.